Confront Iran on Terrorism Before Nuclear Deal

London, 29 Nov - The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) think-tank has urged Donald Trump to focus on the Iranian Regime’s regional destabilisation and terrorism, rather than renegotiating the Iran nuclear deal.

It was argued that with better enforcement of the terms of the deal, it is possible to hold Iran to account as it is.

In a paper for the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) think-tank on Tuesday, Ya’alon wrote: “Reopening the [nuclear] deal is superfluous, mostly because it is possible to exercise pressure on the Iranian regime already today, without reopening the nuclear deal, on the basis of its violations of UN Security Council resolutions regarding arms sales, terror, its ballistic missiles program and human rights violations.”

This puts the author in line with figures like ex-CIA Director Michael Hayden, who believe that fixing the deal should be a long-term objective as opposed to a short-term priority.

Reopening the deal, which the other signatories have opposed, may also make it harder for the US to increase international pressure on Iran in other areas.

“[Trump must] avoid wasting time with reopening the nuclear deal now, and instead to take steps as part of an integrated policy of pressures on the [Iranian] regime… Reopening the deal will cause a split between the US and the five partners to the nuclear deal... as opposed to unification and exercising pressure [on Iran].” Ya’alon wrote.

Indeed, the effects of the Iranian Regime’s regional destabilisation policy can be seen throughout the Middle East from Lebanon to Syria to Yemen. They destabilise countries via proxy groups and then seize power during the chaos in order to create a Shiite Crescent of Iranian influence across the region, but this policy leads to war, displacement, and death.

Ya’alon is no fan of the deal and advocates for improvements to the inspection regime and an increased intelligence focus but believes that it is more pressing to focusing on ending this regional terrorism, before renegotiating the nuclear deal.

He also commended Trump for the October speech in which he changed US policy on Iran and effectively put the Regime ‘on notice’ if it continued to engage in missile tests, terrorism, or any other issues. However, he warned that the US policy needed more action and less talking.

He advised that if the US wants to remove the Iranian Regime, they should adopt a strong, consistent plan which is adopted by US allies across the world.